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SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —The state of Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians have agreed that, starting Feb. 15, 2018, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers will be authorized to enforce the tribe’s hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering regulations. Any Sault Tribe member who is hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering under a tribal license is required to cooperate with any MDNR conservation officer.

A MDNR issued citation for the tribe’s inland regulations will be forwarded to Sault Tribe’s Court. MDNR COs are required to undergo cultural training to improve their interactions with tribal members in the field.

The 2007 Inland Consent Decree allows state DNR COs to enforce the tribe’s Inland regulations only after a mechanism is established for tribal COs to stop hunters and fishermen in the field to determine if they are tribal members. Michigan’s Public Act 36 was signed into law in March 2106 requiring a Michigan citizen in the field to provide identification to a tribal law enforcement officer. The tribes and states agree that PA 36 established the necessary mechanism.

If you have any questions, please contact tribal law enforcement, 906-635-6065.